Nigerian defender Emmanuel Maviram has joined Latvian giants Riga FC from Portuguese side CD Tondela for an undisclosed fee.
According to Isah Lengkat, one of Maviram’s confidants, the defender had several offers but opted for Riga after the club presented a more attractive package.
“Nor-Nor, as we call Emmanuel, had a few offers, but none matched what Riga put on the table. After so many years in Portugal, he decided it was time to test himself elsewhere,” he exclusively told Footy-Africa. “At his age, I think the time was right to seek another adventure, even though he still had the chance to remain in Portugal.”
“Latvian football is on the rise, and Riga are arguably the biggest club in the country. Coupled with what they presented to him, he decided to make the move. All we can hope for now is that he does well, wins trophies with the club and hopefully earns a bigger move because he is a good player,” Lengkat, a former Plateau United star, added.
Maviram was nurtured at the famous Gee-Lec Football Academy in Jos before moving to FC Porto at a young age. He later continued his development with Pedras Salgadas before joining Vizela in Portugal.
The defender had attracted attention from several clubs over the years following his impressive performances, but he remained in Portugal before eventually moving to Tondela after loan spells with Lank Vilaverdense.
There had been reports of a possible move to Belgium this summer, but those rumours failed to materialise after Riga, four-time Latvian champions, stepped in to secure the 25-year-old.
Maviram made 52 appearances for Tondela, scoring two goals during his time with the Portuguese club.
